Review of Age of Consent (1969) by Akavar D — 04 Dec 2007

This was the last full length movie directed by Michael Powell. It was many years after the famous Powell & Pressburger partnership created such great movies as "The Red Shoes" & "Black Narcissus". Powell had been branded as box office poison because one of his movies failed to attract viewers.

This was a wonderful resurgence and book end for this master director. Placing a 24 year old Helen Mirren with a mature James Mason on an Australian island, Powell explored the evolution of their relationship. Mason's character is a world famous artist who came to the Great Barrier Reef to escape his art and the world. He winds up painting the young Helen Mirren.

The beauty of the location accentuates the beauty of the model. Some of the locals decide to insert themselves into this platoinic relationship and help to draw the two even closer emotionally.

This movie can be difficult to find, but it is worth the effort. Give yourself a treat.